Fiona's Personal Crisis: The Journey to the Goldfields

Two things fill your mind, when you begin to make the journey from the capital, to the Goldfields. The first thing, is Fiona's safety. Although you have Akina's spies and royal scouts at your disposal, none of Countess Irene's spies and scouts haven't lent a hand. Then again, the wounds from the last Gaelic invasion on the Goldfields is still quite fresh, even though it has been years. The second thing, is how focused some of your five potential suitors are. Whatever the case is, the time has come to rescue the Gaelic suitor, Fiona, from the people that captured her. Taking a few battalions with you, you ride to the Goldfields. However, as you approach the port town, where Duchess Irene makes her home, a major storm rolls in. Heavy rain makes the trip longer, and when you get within sight of the city, you see Duchess Irene approach, with some of her regional militia with you. The flag of the region flies, despite the rain, and you can see more than enough hints of Irene in the lead, despite the heavy cloak that covers most of her body.

"M'lord," Irene tells you, "this is quite a surprise--not just you and your royal guards, but a portion of the army, as well. If this is related to the Gaelic woman that has been trying to help our people, then please heed my people's call, and return home. I will be handling matters pertaining to the woman."

"She is a potential suitor, countess." You tell her. "I understand that the people of The Goldfields are still healing from the last Gaelic raid, and you lost your parents to the raiders as a child. The potential Gaelic suitor is different, or I would have already sent her back. She wants to repair relations between our respective people, and I have honored her commitment."

"I have seen her attempts, as you have ordered beforehand." Irene tells you. "She is not doing enough in my eyes. She needs to do more than work to optimize my people's farmlands and grazing areas. It will take more than an apology from her and her people to close the wound from the last raid, m'lord. They must compensate for the lives that they took from all of their raids on my people, in gold only, and nothing else."

"So you believe that gaining control of matters over the **** Gaelic suitor is the answer to demanding monetary compensation, countess?" You ask her.

"For me and my people, it is the only way." Irene replies. "The sight of the Gaelic ship that carried this...potential suitor of yours...reopened the old wounds. That is why I told them to dock in Freeport, instead of my city's ports. It is also why I want to have the sole control over the rights to work on the release or rescue of the Gaelic woman. Until that happens, your royal spies and scouts are on their own. My own people will not assist."

"Your unwillingness to assist, as a part of Itheria, has my attention, countess." You tell her. "Whether you like it or not, your people will assist in finding and rescuing the Gaelic woman."

"What will you do," Irene asks you, "if I refuse? The Goldfields still consider Gaelica an enemy of the state, and this woman should've been treated as such. An enemy of The Goldfields must also be considered an enemy of Itheria!"

"My army will find and rescue the Gaelic woman, with or without your assistance." You reply. "If you are unwilling to help, then I, as King of Itheria, will have you removed from your position as Duchess of The Goldfields. Please consider your future, Countess Irene. Would you rather continue your family tradition as leaders of The Goldfields? Or would you end your royal lineage, and live the rest of your life in exile, far away from Itheria? Think about it."

"Hhmph." Irene tells you. "Alright, your majesty. My scouts and militia will assist in finding this...Gaelic woman of yours. However, do not think me and my people will forgive her and her people for what they did to my people when they last raided The Goldfields 15 cycles ago. Their raid changed my life forever. I made a vow to these fine people of The Goldfields that I will protect them to the best of my abilities, and that means protecting them from future raiders, including those from the Gaelic Islands. I will honor that vow. You may value her as a potential suitor, your majesty, but if you wish to keep The Goldfields in your kingdom, I ask that you do not marry her! Keep her as an emissary for her people, if you must, but I beg of you, please do not make her our queen!"

With that being said, she begins to turn her horse around. The rest of the Goldfields Militia, and her advisors follow suit.

"The coastal fortress is still under construction, your majesty," Irene tells you, "but there should be enough shelter for your rescue expedition. I will have quarters prepared for you, your court...and your potential suitors, in the castle. I will meet you there, m'lord."

You watch as Irene take the lead, with her court, and her militia, following. After a brief talk with your advisors and military officers, you let the military officers lead the soldiers to the coastal fortress, while you lead your court and surviving, available suitors, towards Irene's castle. There is no doubt, at least in your head, that while Irene may be rather defiant of your actions since you took the throne, you know that the trauma of the Gaelic raiders killing her parents long ago is still quite fresh in her heart and mind. In all, she will take any actions necessary to protect herself, and the people of The Goldfields.